92 THE BIRDS OF BERKS AND BUCKS. 



of a Swift, with two eggs and remains of the nest, 

 were taken a few years since from one of the Eton 

 College Chapel bell-towers, where the old bird had 

 probably been entombed while sitting on her eggs 

 many years previously. These remains are now de- 

 posited in the school library. 



Mr. W. Dalziel Mackenzie informs me that he 

 observed a Swift at Fawley, in Buckinghamshire, 

 during a sharp frost on the 22d of December, 

 i860. 



Family — C APRIMU LGID^. 



Nightjar {Caprimtdgns Eiiropens). The Nightjar 

 is the only nocturnal bird among the summer visitors 

 to Great Britain. It reaches us about the second 

 week in May, and departs at the beginning of Sep- 

 tember. It is partially distributed throughout both 

 counties, but is nowhere a numerous species ; one 

 of the most favoured localities is Gerrard's Cross, near 

 Beaconsfield, where these birds may be often heard 

 on a still summer's night. 



The female deposits two beautifully marked eggs, 

 marbled grey or brown, in a slight depression in the 

 ground, which serves as a nest. Many of these eggs 

 are annually taken from the woods near Beacons- 

 field, and brought to Eton, w^here they are sold for 

 a trifling sum. 



The Nightjar is locally named Night Hawk^ 

 Screech Hawk, and GoatsiLckcr, the latter name being 



